How a drag queen rose from RuPaul's Drag Race UK to global fame
In short: From a standout third-place finish in the inaugural series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK to competing on a global stage, Baga Chipz has become a fixture of modern drag culture. Known for her Amy Winehouse impression, this English performer has transitioned from reality TV to television acting and music.
Mark Botfield, performing under the stage name Baga Chipz MBE, first gained significant recognition during the 2019 debut series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. During that season, she won three challenges and secured a third-place finish. Her success led to a tour alongside the series one cast, hosted by Alyssa Edwards, and her appearance at the inaugural RuPaul's DragCon UK in January 2020. She is also a member of the drag troupe known as The Buffalo Girls. This group includes performers such as Silver Summers and Lady Lloyd.
The performer's versatility is evident in her diverse media presence. She has collaborated with The Vivienne on various projects, including the WOW Presents Plus series Morning T&T—where she performed a Margaret Thatcher impersonation—and the Netflix-produced web series I Like to Watch. Beyond digital content, she has appeared in mainstream television, including the Channel 4 school drama Ackley Bridge and the ITV series Celebrity Karaoke Club. Additionally, she participated in the 2014 production Drag Queens of London. This series offered a look into the lives of drag artists both on and off stage.
Baga Chipz also demonstrated her culinary skills on Celebrity Masterchef in 2020, though she was eliminated on 8 July 2020. Her musical ambitions were further realized in September 2020 with the release of her debut single, "When The Sun Goes Down," a collaboration with Saara Aalto. This energy continued through the inaugural season of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World, where she advanced to the final, eventually sharing third place with Jujubee following a lip-sync battle against Mo Heart. Her competitive journey included a notable Snatch Game performance as Kathy Bates. This performance helped her reach the top two during the fourth episode of the competition.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Baga Chipz
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